Arugula, Fennel, and Orange Salad Recipe

Williams-Sonoma Entertaining with the Seasons | Weldon Owen, 2010

The bright flavors of peppery arugula, the anise accent of fennel, and the tangy sweetness of oranges come together in this vibrant winter salad. You can make the vinaigrette and prepare the fennel and oranges ahead of time and refrigerate. Combine all the elements just before serving.–Lou Seibert Pappas

LC Salad Days Note

The sturdiness of this starter’s simple components make it especially superb during coolish weather, especially those transitional seasons when your cravings veer toward something sort of salady yet still slightly substantial. This lovely little recipe is just the thing for those moments, as it’s able to stand up to a robust winter braise and also serve as a solo lunch (for that, we like to embellish it with a little round of goat cheese).

Hands-On Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes | Serves 8–10

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Ingredients

For the citrus vinaigrette
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/4 cup fresh orange or tangerine or clementine juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon (optional)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
For the arugula, fennel and orange salad
1 large fennel bulb
3 navel oranges
4 cups (4 ounces) fresh arugula (rocket)

Directions

Make the vinaigrette
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest and juice, lemon juice, olive oil, canola oil, mustard, shallot, and tarragon, if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Make the arugula, fennel and orange salad
2. Cut off the stems and feathery fronds of the fennel bulb and remove any bruised or discolored outer layers. Cut the bulb in half lengthwise and cut out any tough core parts. Cut the bulb halves crosswise into slices just shy of a half inch thick, and then cut the slices into 1-inch lengths.
3. Working with 1 orange at a time, cut a slice off both ends of the orange to reveal the flesh. Stand the orange upright on a cutting board and thickly slice off the peel and pith in strips, following the contour of the fruit. Cut the orange in half crosswise and thinly slice each half to create several half-moons. If desired, release the orange segments from the bitter membranes surrounding them. Repeat with the remaining oranges.
4. Place the fennel and arugula in a large serving bowl. (You can cover and refrigerate each of the salad’s components for up to several hours.)
5. When ready to serve, drizzle about 1/2 of the vinaigrette over the arugula and fennel and toss gently to coat. Arrange the orange slices on top. Drizzle with as much of the remaining vinaigrette as desired and serve immediately.

Hungry for more? Chow down on these:

Pomegranate Salad with Savory Soy Vinaigrette from White On Rice Couple
Quinoa Salad with Pears, Spinach and Chick Peas in a Maple Vinaigrette from Gluten Free Goddess
Arugula Salad with Almonds, Green Olives, and Tangerines from Leite's Culinaria
Goat Cheese in Phyllo with Roasted Pepper Salad from Leite's Culinaria